ROMANIAN MOLDOVAN MISSION CONFERENCE

On Sunday the 16th of August the Cooley's set out for a all Romanian/Moldovan conference that was held in Bustein Romania. We were ask to drive our car and pick up a couple Sora's in Iasi on Monday morning at 5:30 am. Needless to say we decided to spend the night in Iasi since it would take us between 3 and 4 hours to arrive there from Chisinau. We left Chisinau about 4:30 pm and arrived at 9:30 so we were happy that we decided to break the drive up into two days. We enjoyed the trip except the boarder and it was long (just think Mexico).
We had dinner at a place called Little Texas and slept at the International Hotel which was awesome. Really a bed higher than our 6" off the floor, it was soooooooo nice. Up at 4:30 to shower and meet the Sora's downstairs.  Sora Wyatt and Sora Weaver were wonderful so AWAKE and chattered the way. It was suppose to take us about 6 hours but 10 1/2 hours later we arrived. Taking a wrong turn and 2 hours of stop and go traffic up over the mountain will do that. We arrived safe and that is all that matters.

                             

Hotel Silva we have arrived. 

Busteni is nestled in the Buregi Mountains or the Romanian Alps!

Buregi Mountains, just think Utah, Park City would be the perfect comparison.

 

Cantacuzino Castle

This incredible castle is where we gathered that evening for a private tour, Mission Picture and also dinner. The tour was incredible, the dinner was 5 star and the picture turned out great.
We had a wonderful time visiting with all the missionaries that had served in Moldova and were now in Romania. They were all healthy and happy to see us again.

Sora Gibson 

Sora Allen

We were able to reconnect with some of our dear missionaries that have served with us in the past

ROMANIAN/MOLDOVA MISSION

The second day of the conference started out at 6:30 with a morning devotional. There were a lot of sleepy missionaries but they were up and ready to participate. In the mornings Mission Conference held in the city of Brasov. This is a picturesque city with mountains, flowers, thousands of trees and even some pine trees. Some of the trees were taking on the colors of Fall but the 90+ temperature didn't feel like fall.
We had a very spiritual and uplifting conference. We were also given a challenge to read the Book of Mormon. We were given a kit that contained the reading schedule and a picture of the Liahona that we color in each day after we read our assignment. We gave this challenge also to our family and friends here in the mission field and at home.If you are interested here is a link.

We then got ready for the day packed our suitcases, had a quick breakfast and out the door and on our way to BRAN.  Bran is the castle nestled in the TRANSYLVANIAN mountains. Or this is better known as Dracula's Castle.

                                                                             

                                    Bran Castle home of Dracula in the Transylvanian Alps

This was a wonderful ending to a great Mission Conference, a marvelous memory maker for us and all the missionaries. Now we start our drive back to Moldova but had to stop in Iasi to drop the sister off and spend the night before our drive to Chisinau.
It was 10:30 and all was well except for the fact that we were drained and ready for a peaceful sleep. Ya, right we never even got in bed when it came. I went to the window to check out the view of the Peoples Palace we were on the 9th floor so we could see everything. I pulled back the shade a little and heard some strange sound coming from behind the curtain. I moved it and I could hear the sound and see movement again. I told Lee and he looked behind the curtain and yep, what did he see but Dracula transformed into the bat. Why had he followed us to the hotel, waiting until we feel asleep before he attacked? Lee called the lobby to send someone up to our room to capture our BAT. I am sure the manger thought we had lost it or was joking with him but he sent a man up. He walks in without anything to kill or capture it. He wanted to see it so he goes to the drape and this big strong man peeks behind the drape then jumps back and runs to the bathroom to grap a towel like that will hurt it!
He then opens the drape again and the bat flies out and both he and Lee are dodging the bat at he flies around them. Where am I? LOCKED in the bathroom of course. Dracula seeing that he couldn't attack us had his fun he flew out the window. The ADVENTURES just keep coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PEOPLES PALACE in IASI

                                   

HOME SWEET HOME

                                                           PICTURE OF THE MONTH

 Our road trip through Romania gave the chance to see many STORK'S in there nests. They build their nests in a large wire bowl the people supply for them at the top of the telephone or light poles.

        

A unique way to turn a dead tree into a piece of art.